Bramblett going 'Places'

Fresh from a mid-March gig with Traffic for the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Athens musician Randall Bramblett is set to promote his own tunes on ''Thin Places,'' his new CD (and second on New West Records).

Friday's CD release party at the 40 Watt Club kicks off a - so far - two-month tour before Bramblett takes off to tour this summer backing Traffic as well as longtime friend Steve Winwood. Bramblett says Winwood has agreed to let him throw in some of his own songs during Winwood's shows, for which Bramblett says he's really grateful, before joking ''Yeah, we'll see what Winwood sounds like on this stuff - singing backup.''

''No More Mr. Lucky,'' Bramblett's last record on New West (2001), received nearly unanimous critical raves and it's likely ''Thin Places'' will earn the same kind of reception, owing to its beautiful blend of blues, jazz, pop and soul on the kind of album that makes you press ''play'' again as soon as its final track ends.